“American History: Our Hope for the Future” was the theme of the VFW’s Voice of Democracy contest recently completed for the 2017-18 school term at Parkland High School.

On the local level, VFW Post 12099 selected three winning essays from more than 30 entries - two from Parkland High School and one from Northern Lehigh High School.

All winners were awarded a framed commendation as well as monetary awards up to $150 for their 3-5 minute audio essay.

Arti Dhareshwar, ninth grade, a student of Calliope Volikas, wrote the winning essay for Post 12099 while Kayla Piacquadio, 12th grade, a student of Dale Ritter garnered third prize.

Both were honored during a meet and greet with veterans from VFW Post 12099 including Past Post Commander Joe Zeller, WWII/Korea; current Post 12099 Commander Michael Schnur, Post member Retired Admiral David Keller, and Post Trustee Robert Greene, all Vietnam veterans.

The National Veterans of Foreign Wars has sponsored this patriotic and audio essay competition with a new theme each school year for ninth through 12th grade students since 1947 with almost 40,000 high school students nationwide competing each school term for more than $2.1 million in scholarships and incentives.

Prizes are awarded at the post, district, state and national level.

State winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the city and to be honored by the VFW and its VFW Auxiliary with the top scholarship award of $30,000.

On the sixth through eighth grade level, the VFW also sponsors the Patriot’s Pen competition, where a student composing a 300-400 essay on the annual theme could be recognized on the local, district and state level and go on to become a national level winner receiving $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Teachers and students in public, private or parochial schools are encouraged to enter this competition with their entries for the 2018-19 school term due by Nov. 1, 2018.

Entries need to be presented either by teacher or individually to the local VFW Post for judging and sponsorship.

For additional information, contact VFW Post 12099 Coordinator Joseph Zeller at 610-298-3254, email annawertman@verizon.net or visitvfw.org.